Means for extinguishing fires in oil-tanks.



'Patented Dec. 30, i902.

W. F. GAUL.

MEANS 1F08 EXTINGUISHING 'FIRES IN (HL. TANKS.

(Application filed Oct. 14, 1901.)

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W. F. GAUL. MEANS F03 EXTtNGUISl-UNG FIRES IN UH. TANKS.

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No. 7|6,885. Patented Dec. 30, |902.

` W. F. GAUL.

MEANS FOB EXTIN'GUISHING FIRES 1N 0H. TANKS.

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No. 716,885. Patented Dec. 30,1902.

' W. F. GAUL.

MEANS FORXTINGU1SHING FIRES IN OIL TANKS.

(Application filed Ont. 14, 1901..)`

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

-Patented Dc'.V 305 1902. w. F. GAuL. MEANS F03 EXTiNGISHlNl- FIRES IN O IL TANKS. (Appliemn mea oct. '14, 1991.)

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'Nrrnn STATES AreNT Orrcn.

WILLIAM FRANK GAUL, OF GREENBANK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO MORRIS VVALTON, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEI/V JERSEY.

MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES IN OIL-TANKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,885, dated December 30, 1902.

Application filed October 14, 1901. Serial No. 78,538. (No model.)

To all whom t may GOM/Gern: Fig. 4 is partly au elevation of acentral station Beit known that I, WILLIAM FRANK GAUL, and part vertical section, a vertical section a citizen of the United States of America, and through large discharge-tank with oil-conduca resident of Greeubauk, State of New Jersey, tors from individual tanks to large tank shown. g5 5 have invented certain new and useful Im- Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the provementsin Means forExtinguishing Fires small oil-tanks with its foundation-support in Oil-Tanks, of which the following is a shown,alsoavertical section throughthe wall specification. of the central station and side elevation of the My invention has reference to means for exlever connections between the annunciator- 6o :o tinguishing lires in oil-tanks when arranged station and the dierent parts that this lever in groups or series or otherwise.' operates. Fig. 6 is a/section on line 1 and 2 It consists of features fully set forth inthe of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section online 3 and 4 following specification and the accompanying of the same figure looking toward the tank. drawings, forming part thereof. Y Fig. 8 is the way in practice that I prefer to 65 I5 The object of my invention is to provide construct my gas-generator. The outlet t0 positive and reliable apparatus to extinguish the tank, it will be seen in this view, is very res originating from any cause in oil-tanks `muchV contracted. Fig. 9 is a detail of the at oil-refineries or, in storage-yards wheresofuse or cut-out. ever located. These tanksfare usually ar- A, Fig. 5, is one of the oil-tanks. There 7o zo ranged in series or groups, as the quantity of are a series of these tanks, as shown in Fig.

oil is generally so large that it is not practill. They are all of like construction and cacable to store it all in one tank. pacity, anda description ofone willtherefore It consists, therefore, in combination, with suffice for a description of all. While I show a series ofoil-retaining tanks, ofa'central stathese tanks in series, as in Fig. l, yet I in 75 z 5 tion wherein is located a series of annunciapractice, where the requirements of the plant tors electrically connected, each with its rewould warrant, would so plot the ground plan spective tank, a common receiving-tank into for the location'of these that I would have which the oil of any' of the series of 'tanks isr four sections, all similar to Fig. l. Therefore dischargeable through suitable connections, rl3`ig.land the group of tanks thereinindicated 8o 30 and a series of hand-controlled means for siwould only represent one section.

multaneously opening theoil-valves, the gas- A In Fig. 3 numerals 5, 7, 6, and 8 represent valves, and the valve permitting the sulfuric horizontal sections on indicator-boards in a acid to pass into a'vessel containing bicarcentral station, 'where I\ use four sections of Donate of soda, from which latter two ingreditanks. For the purpose of 'this specication 85 35 ents is produced the carbonio-acid gas which We will assume that the tanks indicated in I use to extinguish any accidental ignition of `Fig. l are sectioniA. IVe will therefore make any or of all the tanks. the annunciator shown in Fig. 2 have the In the drawings like parts are referred to Y the samenumber of indicators that Fig. l by marks or gures of a corresponding kind has oil-tanks, and the different Wires C O2 C3 9o 4o in the different views. C4 AOO6 C7 OS O9 O10 Ou Aeach represent an Figure I is a plan of a series of tanks with electrical circuit between each tank and its central station and large receiving-tankindirespective annunciator. The numerals on cated. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of central the line-wire represent the number of the station and sideelevation of the series of letank, and C the circuit. A battery; B11 is 95 45 vers for controlling the different valves, reshown in each circuit, and the earth'is used spectively, fork the egress of oil from tanks, as a return-conductor. It will now be appaegress of gas from generator,aud sulfuric acid rent that for each tank I have an annunciator n from its retainer. Fig. 3 isa ground plan of a and an electrical connection between each central station as the indicator-'boards for the tank and vthe cent-ral station, where the anroo 5o annunciator would be arranged when more nunciators are arranged convenient for obthan one series of oil-tankswould beemployed. servation on the part of the attendant.

On consulting Fig. 2 it Will be seen I show a series of levers in elevation. There is one of these levers for each tank, and therefore one for each indicator. The function of these levers will be explained more at length hereinafter. Where there were several stations of tanks there would be a set of levers for each section, just as there would be a set of indicators for each section.

Returning now to the detailed description, R is the hand-engageable arm of one of the levers aforesaid. These levers are of the bellcrank class. T is the other arm thereof.

U is a slotted opening in the arm T and carries a pin C, iixed to the head of the rod V. Thus the pin C can slide freely in the slot U, permitting thereby the rod V to have a vertical rectilinear mot-ion independent of the curvalinear motion of the point with which the pin C contacts.

W and X form the guide and means for retaining the packing X in proper oil-tight condition.

W2 is a chamber for storing sulfuric acid, and W3 is a chamber containing the bicarbonate of soda. Sulfuric acid being a liquid, it is very evident that when I swing the lever R T from C to C the valve W4, being fixed to the rod V, Will be opened and the liquid acid will pass into the chamber W3. The contacting of the sulfuric acid with the bicarbonate of soda generates carbonic-acid gas, which is the gas I employ, as I have hereinbefore stated. It Will be seen in Figs. 4 and 5 I show the bicarbonate-of-soda chamber as one of fixed and unyielding dimensions; but in Fig. 8 I show a Water-seal gasometer construction. The latter in practice would be my choice, although the former will perform the function of its design. The latter is my choice, because itenables me to keep a steady pressure on thestored gas after generation and to thus accumulate a larger quantity of gas in store for distribution.

n 'n represent a small bell-crank lever pivoted to the rod H at one endand carrying the rod M at the other. It is supported by a carrier O to the frame of the station S.

Q is a valve carried by the rod M and held in a boX P. This valve controls the outlet of the gas from the gas-chamber W3. It is now apparent that the gas-conductor L When the leverfR T is moved from c to c will be free to permit the gas to pass by the valve Q and thereafter on its Way to the tank A to its work of flame-extinguishing. Thesaid valve Q is opened by the bell-crank n n being moved-oscillated-from d to d and b to b',

as shown in Fig. 5. This Fig. 5, it will be noticed, is very much contracted-that is, the tank A and the central station S, in which the operator is located,l are brought immediately together. Space limitations compel this,

as it was necessary to make the drawings of fair` proportions in order to clearly. illustrate the different correlated parts in this view. It will now be seen from the description of the operation of the valve Qforthe egress of the gas and the valve W4 for the outlet of the sulfuric acid for the generation of the gas that these two'valves vare operated simultaneously. That is true also of the oil-outlet valve nowto be described. I do not show the large oil-receiving tank in Fig. 5, as space limitations forbid; but this is shown in Fig. 4 clearly.

F, Fig. 5, is an oscillating bar supported to the tank A by the intermediate holder therefor, G. The rod H, previously referred to, is held to this bar by the pin K.

E is a rod carrying the valve E2. D is the said valve-retainer, and m is a packing-retainer cap for the valve-rod E, making same oil-tight.

B is the oil-outlet pipe, which carries the valve above described. C is a curved section of the said pipe. .The purpose of the curved section is to prevent flame from passing into the large tank from any smaller one that may have taken fire. v

The rod E is supported in proper alinement with the valve by the fixed support therefor,l.

As I have already referred in this specification to the identity in structure of all the tanks and their connections, it follows that the detailed description of all the coperating elements for the performance of the functions set out Would be the same for all ,the tanks in a series orsection, and therefore a description of this one, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, is a description of all; but While I show this hand-lever-actuating mechanism as the preferred means to actuate the different valves I desire it understood I do not limit myself to this specicmeans for accomplishing this purpose. A I could With equal success use compressed air or electric magnets to do all I accomplish by the arrangement specifically described.

In Fig. et I show a view of the parts set out in Fig. 5, but on a reduced scale, and by reason of this reduced scale I am enabled to show the large common tank in approximately its relative correct position. The body of this tank is shown at T C. C3 represents a heavy concrete Wall lined with cement, so as to be positivelyoil-tight. C4 represents masonry of a thickness to resist the greatest strains to which it would be subject. This tank is placed in thesolid earth (indicated by C5.) The outlet-pipes for oil B B and the gas-conducting pipes L L L having been fully described, further reference to them here is not thought necessary. C2 C2, as Will be seen,

represent a depending portion of the pipes B, and it leads directly in to the tank T C. In Fig. 4 there are only two oil-storing tanks shown. This showing is considered sufficient, as it Would not be practical to show'a larger quantity in section. However, in practice it Will be understood that. each common tank T C has as many as eleven supplemental tanks in position to discharge their o il contents into it. It is evident that the number of these tanks,

IIO

' let-valve W4.

as well as their size, will be determined by the volume of business that the plant will be handling.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged View showing the manner in which my electrical circuit is closed after a tank has taken fire. h in this ligure is a switch normally held in the position shown in Fig. 9 by a metallic support or retainer J. This retainer is made of some metal that will melt ata low temperature. M2 and M3 are two'terminals of the conductors C11 and C13. When a tank has become ignited the temperature is speedily raised to a degree sniiicient to melt the switch-support J, whereupon the spring m4 will pull the armature h to the terminals m2 and m3 and close the circuit C1l and C13. The indicator corresponding to the tank ignited will he moved at the central station and the bell or gong sounded. The tanks shown in Fig. 4 have the switches, as shown in Fig. 9, but on too small a scale to be readable.

Fig. 8 shows my preferred construction of gas generator and reservoir. The said. chamber in this construction 'is substantially the same as that shown in the other views, likewise the valves Q and W4. The bicarbonate of soda is indicated at B'. As the valve V874 is opened and the sulfuric acid permitted to drop on the soda the carbonio acid will pass through the ports P to contact With the water, and if the gas generated is in sufficient volume it will raise the chamber W3. ter P8 will prevent any escape of the gas. P3 is a tubular integral part of the gas retainer or generator. Pand P4represeuta rool'therefor to prevent the acid from falling on the water. P7 is a Water-retaining chamber into which the gas-generator is placed. P' is a gas-outlet pipe having.r a depending portion P2, leading to the gas-chamber P10. From the chamber P10 the pipes L L L lead each to their respective tank.

The operation of my device is as follows: The common cause of fires in oil-tanks such as are here contemplated and which my invention is designed to extinguish is lightning. has struck any one of the tanks shown in Fig. l. The tank so struck Willof course be immediately ignited. The heat will almost immediately melt the retainer J, and the armature h will immediately thereafter be drawn to the terminals m2 and mielosing the circuit formed by the conductors cM and cl3. The annunciator will indicate at the central station which tank is ignited, and the operator Will, pull the lever corresponding to the indicator. The pulling of this lever will open the gas-valve Q, oil-outlet valve E2, and sulfuric-acid out- Now While the oil is discharging through the pipe C into the main tank 'l 'C the irewill gradually be extinguished byl the carbonio gasbeing forced into the tank A through the pipe L. Thus do I not only save nearly all the oil of any tank that may become ignited by having same discharged from the The wa- VWe will now assume that lightning burning tank, but I also prevent the spread ofthe dame by charging the air with carbonicacid gas. Should other tanks be threatened or should. more than one become involved, I

simple or compound, that will accomplish the work of flame-extinguishing comes Within the compass of my desire. and as I do not limit myself to the chemical element that Ifemploy `for the purpose above set out, neither do I limit myself to the exact specific structure m echanicaliy set out, but couldl make nu merous modifications without departing from they spirit of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,4 isl. The combination in a device for extinguishing lires in an oil-tank, of a series of oiltanks, a tank common to the said series, a series of indicators one foreach tank, a conncction between each 'tank and its indicator nor- A"mally inoperative, but renderedoperative by heat action automatically, a bicarbonate-ofsoda chamber, it being aiso a gas-.generating chamber, a valve interposed between the two said' chambers, a gas-conductor interposed between the said gas-generating chamber and Aeach of said series of oil-tanks, and hand-controlled means for simultaneonsly'operating the valve for the bicarbonate-oilsOda chamber, gas-outlet valve and oil-outlet valve, as

land for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination in a device for extinguishing fires in'oil-tanks, of aseries oi tanks, aseries ofindicators, one for each tanica connection between each tank and its 'indicator normally inoperative but rendered operative by heat action, a series of oil-outlet conductors, a series of hand-controlled levers, af gasgenerating chamber,it being alsoa bicarbonate-of-soda receptacle, a sulfuric-acid cham.-

ber, a valve interposed between the tvvo said chambers,a gas-conductor interposed between IIO the said gas-generating chamber and cil-tank,

and means for .sim ultaneously operating Ythe outlet-val ve for the bicarbonate-ofenda chamber, the gas -ontlet valveand the oil-outlet valve, as and for the purpose set forth."

3. The combination in a device for extinguishing fires in oil-tanks, of a series of tanks,

a series of indicators one for each tank, a connection between each tank and its indicator conductors, abicarbonate-of-soda receptacle,

. it being also a gas-generating chamber,:a sulfurie-acid chamber, a valveiinterposed Y'between the said two chambers, a gas-condnotoiinterposed bet-Ween said gas-generating chamber and each of said oil-tanks and handcon trolled means for simultaneously operating the outlet-valve for the bicarbonate-of-soda chamber, the gas-outlet valve and the oiloutlet valve, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination in a means for extinguishing fires in oil-tanks, of a central oiltank of relative large dimensions, a series of smaller oil-tanks whose combined capacity.

approximately equals the larger tank, a series of oil-conductors one between each of the smaller and the large tank, a central or common station, a serie-s of means in the said station for operating said valves whereby the discharge of the oil from the smaller to the large tank is controlled, a bicarbonate-otsoda chamber it being also a gas-generating chamber, a sulfuric-acid chamber, a gas-conductor interposed between the said gas-generating chamber and oil-tanks and hand-controlled means for simultaneously operating the valve for the acid-chamber, the gas-ontlet valve and the oil-outlet Valve.

5. The combination in a means for extinguishing fires in oil-tanks, of a large common tank, a series of smaller tanks, a carbonicacid-gas retainer, a gas-generating chamber, it being also a bica1bonate-of-soda chamber, a sulfuric-acid chamber, a valve interposed between the two latter chambers, a gas-conductor interposed between the gas-generating chamber and the oil-tanks and hand-controlled means for simultaneously operating the outlet-val 'Je for the sulfuric acid, the gasoutlet valve and the oil-outlet Valve, as and for the purpose set out.

6. The combination in a means for extinguishing res in oil-tanks, ot' a series of tanks, a tank common to the said series, oil-conductors leading from each of the said series to the said common tank, a central station, means interposed between the said central station and each of the said tanks for controlling the discharge of the oil from all or any of said tanks to the said common tank, a gas-generating chamber, it being also a bicarbonate-of-soda-retaining chamber, a sulfu ric-acid chamber, and means for simultaneously operating valves leading from the gaschamber, the sulfuric-acid chamber and from any one of the oiltanks as and for the purpose set out.

7. The combination in a means for extin-v guishingires in oil-tanks, of a series of tanks, a common tank therefor, oil-conductors leading from each of the said tanks to the common tank, means interposed between each of said tanks and the common tank for conducting the oil therebetween, means for extinguishing a tire in any or all of the said tanks controlled from a central station, consisting ot a gas generating chamber, a supplemental chamber thereto, a valve communicating between the two said chambers, an outlet-valve for said gas-generating chamber and an outlet-valve for each and all of the-said oil-tanks.

S. The combination in a device for extinguishing tires in oil-tanks, of a central station, a series of tanks, a tank common to all of the said series, a series of oil-conductors one of which leads from the common tank to each of said tanks, a valve in each of said oil-conductors, a retainer for carbonic-acid gas, agenerator for the said gas, a gas-conductor interposed between each of said tanks and said retainer, a valve in each of said conductors and means for simultaneously actuating all of the said valves, as and for the purpose set ont.

W. FRANK GAUL.

Witnesses:

HoMER A. HERR, A. REYNOLDS COLESBERRY. 

